Plural extensible power line voltage measurement probes with spool means for the interconnecting conductor



July 6, 1965 M. w. BEvlNs PLURAL EXTENSIBLE POWER LINE VOLTAGEMEASUREMENT PROBES WITH SPOOL MEANS FOR THE INTERCONNECTING CONDUCTORFiled DSC. 1.2, 1960 IN VEN TR.

BY MARVIN W BEWNS Y E N R O T T A United States Patent C) 3,193,765PLURAL EXTENSIBLE POWER LlNE VULTAGE MEASUREMENT PROBES WITH SPOGL MEANSFOR THE INTERCNNECTENG CNDUCTR Marvin W. Bevins, 3137 S. Cincinnati,Tuisa, Dida. Filed Dec. 12, 1960, Ser. No. 75,258

i 2 Claims. (Ci. 324-149) This invention relates to improvements inphasing voltmeters, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation,to fa phasing voltmeter specitically adapted for use by linemen onoverhead high voltage electrical transmission lines.

In the transmission and distribution of electrical power, it frequentlybecomes necessary to connect one transmission or distribution system toanother. An example of 'such an occasion is when a lead or leads of oneline develop a fault so that it is necessary to connect thereto thecorresponding lead or leads of another line in the same power system forsupplying power to the load. However, it is absolutely essential foruninterrupted service of the customers that the leads so connected vbeof the same phase relation as those of the faulty lead or leads. p

It is well known to provide phasing devices which utilize a neon lamp orlthe like electrically connected in a series electrical circuit thatextends from a main stati to an auxiliary staff so that when conductingportions of the two staiis contact two adjacent high tension lines, andif a high voltage current is liowing through the lines, the neon lampwill be energized. These phasing devices `are at times, however, notentirely indicative of the conditions represented thereby. Whenparalleling two electrical circuits, one of `which is a heavily loadedline, there may be suflicient voltage difference therebetween to cause aneon lamp to indicate on the same phase due to line drop in the moreheavily loaded line. Similarly, a neon lamp may indicate the same phaseon a long line "due` .tothe phase angle between the same phases. Such`main and auxiliary staffs in .an electrical circuit. Both the mainstafl and the auxiliary staff are provided with resistors which areconnected at one end `to a conducting probe means, such las a shepherdshook, for connection with an electrical transmission line and at theother end to the electrically insulated cable extending between the twostafs. Only the portion of the insulated cable is unwound from the spoolpositioned on the auxiliary staff as is absolutely needed for a quickand facile reading of the values indicated on the voltmeter, therebyminimizing distortion of the reading due to stray capacitance andprecluding the cable from becoming entangled with ei-ther the linemen ortheir other necessary tools. The voltmeter positioned on the main statiis connected in a series circuit with the resistors carried within themain and auxiliary stails and the conducting probe means. l

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novelphasing device for comparing the phases of an alternating currentdistribution system.

Another `object of the present invention is to provide a novel phasingdevice for accurately determining the true voltages yof a high tensionelectrical transmission line. g

And still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelphasing device that may be coupled .3,l93,765 Patented July 6, 1965 ICCto appropriate extensions to extend the range of the phasing device andto permit the indication of higher electrical values and which is notburdened with added weight and bulk during normal use.

Still ano-ther object of the present invention is to provide a phasingdevice which minimizes the distortion of the indicated voltages that isdue to stray capacitance.

And yet another object of the present invent-ion is to provide a novelphasing device which permits control of the length of insulatedconducting cable extending between the main and auxiliary portions ofthe device.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a phasingdevice which promotes the maximum safety of the linemen `operating thedevice on `a pole.

And yet a still further object of this invention is to provide a novelphasing device which is simple in construction, durable in wear, andlight enoughfor a facile handling by linemen on a pole.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description, read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective view partially in cross section of a preferredembodiment of the novel invention.

`FIGURE 2 is a perspective view partially in cross section which -showsa modication of the invention and how extensions may be added to thedevice for extending the voltage range thereof.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 1t) generallydesignates a novel phasing device for indicating voltage values wherebythe phasing of one electrical circuit to another may be facilitated..The phasing device 1t? comprises a non-conducting cylindrical tubing 12that is iilled with a plast-ic foam 13 such as epoxy resin, or the like,for a reason that will be hereinafter -set forth. The tubing 12, whichmay be designated as the main staff, is preferably constructed of `anon-conducting plastic, such `as epoxiglass or the like, although anyother material possessing the necessary attributes, such as wood, wouldbe sui-table for use. A conducting terminal 14 provided with a centralthreaded bore 16 is secured in any suitable manner in an end of the mainstaff `12 which `appears in IFIG. l as the right hand end and which inactual use of the phasing device is the upper end of the phasing device10. A conducting probe 18 of any suitable configura-tion, such as ashepherds hook or 4the like, is provided with a threaded portion 2t)that is threadedly secured within the terminal 14 and locked therein bymeans of a suitable lock nut 22 which is co-axially positioned on theouter periphery of the probe i8. It is to be understood that the form orshape of the electrode i8 and the specific method of attaching it to thetubing 12 is not limited to the precise form shown in the drawings, andit is within the scope of the invention to employ means other than those`specically shown in the drawings.

A :suitable conducting nut 24 is positioned on the inner sideof theterminal 14 for connection thereto of a plurality of resistors 26 whichmay be any well known type and comprise a pre-determined increment ofresistance. These resistors may comprise a plurality of resistors linkedin lseries or one continuous resistor. The resistors or resistor 26, asthe case may be, extend through the interior of the tubing along thelongitudinal axis thereof.

The `resistors 26 are centrally positioned within the tubing by asuitable plastic foam, noted hereinbefore, which holds the resistors ina central position, acts as a cushioning non-conductive insulation toprotect the resistors from any impacts encountered in normal usage ofthe device, and strengthens the tubing 1.2 against any transversebending forces applied thereto. The resistors 2e extend longitudinallyinto fthe tubing il?, to a point where a suitable electrical lead 28connected to the last resistor 26 extends transversely through anaperture in the wall of the tubing 12 for connection to a terminal of asuitable rectifier 3i) for changing the alternating current flowingthrough the resistors into direct current for operation of 4thevoltmeter in a manner well known in the ar-t of electrical measurements.

A suitable D.C. voltmeter 32 of any well known type is positioned Withina non-conducting case 34 composed of wood or plastic, or the like, thatis removably secured by any well known means (not shown) to the portionof the tubing 12 appearing on the left in the drawings, and in actualuse comprising the lower end of the main stati' of the tool lil. Asuitable electrically insulated conductor 36 passes through atransversely extending bore 38 in the body of the voltmeter case forelectrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier 30. The conductor36 extends from the voltmeter case 34 attached to the main stad to aspool 4,6 preferably co-axially positioned by any Well known means (notshown) on the left hand or lower portion of the auxiliary staff 4l whichis constructed similarly to the main staff 12. The cylinder 40 isprovided with a pair of spaced outwardly extending circumferentialflanges 42 to provide a suitable channel shape-d form for receiving thecable 36 wound therearound. Although the spool is shown in FIG. l asbeing solidly attached to the auxiliary staff 4l, it is within scope ofthis invention to construct the spool 4l@ so that it is spring loadedand automatically winds up the portion of the cable that is not requiredfor operation of the phasing device.

The cable 36 extends transversely through an aperture 43 Vin the wall ofthe auxiliary staff for connection to :a resistance 26 in a mannersimilar to that previously set forth. The resistance 26 extendslongitudinally through the auxiliary staff 41 for connection to asuitable probe or shepherds hook 18, such as'previously described. Thus,a series electrical circuit is provided for measuring the value of thevoltage of an electrical transmission line to ground. This serieselectrical circuit extends from a probe 18 secured to the main stati,through the terminal 14 and resistances 26, lead 2S, rectifier 3i) ofvoltmeter 32,v conductor 36 and similar resistances 26, terminal 14 anda probe 18 positioned in the auxiliary staff. The left hand end of themain and auxiliary staffs Vmay be provided with appropriate fittings forconnection of the main and auxiliary staffs to suitable nonconductingmembers or hot sticks.

FIGURE 2 depicts a phasing device embodying a modication of the novelinvention and also shows an .additional structure which may be utilizedto extend the range of the phasing device for operation with electricaltransmission lines carrying a higher voltage. FIGURE 1 showed the novelphasing device as adapted for attachment to a pair of non-conductingmembers (not shown) for operation and use. However, as seen in FlG. 2,it is clearly within the purview of this invention to construct the mainand auxiliary stafrs so that the non-conducting members are an integralpart of the main and auxiliary stads.

FIGURE 2 also shows another feature which is an important portion of themain invention, namely that kof providing a means for extending theetlective range of the phasing device. Since the current flowing throughan electrical circuit is inversly proportional to the amount of`resistance encountered therein, it is necessary to increase theresistance in the electrical series circuit of the device 113 when it isdesired to use the phasing device l@ to measure the voltage of anelectrical transmission line which carries a voltage greater than thatmeasured in normal use of the device. This is accomplished byunthreading the probes 18 from the terminals )i4 and securing tubingextension 46 to the main and auxiliary stais by means of a threaded bolt48 that is secured in any well known manner within a terminal positionedin one end of the statt extension 46 similar to the structure previouslyset forth in the description of the main and auxiliary staffs. Anon-conducting cylindrical collar 5t) composed of plastic or a similarnon-conducting material is positioned on an end of each of theextensions 46 adjacent to and overlapping said threaded members 4S toprotect the threads of the bolts 48 when the extensions are not in useand to furnish additional strength against any transverse bending forcesthat might be applied to either end of the staff when the device is inuse. The extensions 45 have threaded terminals 14 secured in the endsopposite from those protected by the collars Sil. Additional pottedresistors 2d are centrally positioned within said extensions 46 andextend longitudinally therethrough for electrical connection to theterminals 1d in a manner similar to that set forth in the description ofthe structure of the main and auxiliary stads. These terminals 14 areidentical with those used in the main and auxiliary staffs so that thestaffs may then be threadedly positioned in the ends of the extensionsfor utilization of the novel phasing device 10.

Operation For utilization of the novel phasing device lll, the main anauxiliary staffs 12 and di, respectively, are removed from anappropriate carrying case (not shown) and selectively secured tonon-conducting members'or hot sticks by any suitable connections. Theassembled statlfs are then directed upwardly to the linemen on a pole bymeans of a hand line. Sincesafety regulations normally require twolinemen to be used'in the phasing of electrical transmission lines, themain staff 12 is grasped by one lineman and the auxiliary staff 41 isgrasped by the other lineman. The insulated cnoductor 36 is unwound fromthe spool 4G) positioned on the auxiliary staff il to permit the tool l0to be easily handled and yet not allow the cable 36 to become entangledwith either the safety belts of the linemen or the plurality of handtools carried thereon. Linemen position themselves on wooden polescarrying overhead distribution lines by means of safety belts yand hookswhich are strapped to their legs. This position is precarious anddangerous at best and the novel device It), by substantially precludingthe chance of the cable 36 becoming entangled with either their safetybelts or their hand tools, greatly increases the safety with which thephasing of high voltage transmission lines may be accomplished.

By closely controlling the degree to which the cable 36 may be drapeddownwardly during normal usage cf the device, the distortion of thereadings on the voltmeter 32 due to stray or ground capacitance may beminimized. This feature is apparent in that as the distance between thelowermost portion of the conductor 36 and the ground is increased, thecapacitance that exists between the conductor 36 and the ground islessened. The device lll provides a novel structure for maintaining thisdistance at a maximum during operation of the device l0 and therebysubstantially minimizing the distortion that is due to stray capacitanceof the values indicated on the voltmeter 32.

The lineman holding the main statt 12 then positions the probe 1Sagainst an uninsulated high voltage transmission line, or if the probe1S comprises a shepherds hook as shown in the drawings, merely hooks theshepherds hook over one of the transmission lines. A shepherds hook maybe preferable at times in that it allows a lineman to partially transferthe weight of the tool to the transmission line. The lineman holding theauxiliary staff il either touches or hooks the probe 18 over a groundwire so that the lineman holding the main staff may ascertain thevoltage between that specific line and ground, and so phase the systemin a conventional manner. After the distribution system has beenconnected to the power lines according to the correct phaserelationship, the device may be returned to the ground by a hand lineand -replaced in its carrying case.

When it is desired to ascertain the phase of a transmission systemcarrying a higher voltage than is generally measured in normal usage ofthe device 10, the main and auxiliary stads are removed from a suitablecarrying case (not shown) and ythe probes 1S are threadedly disengagedfrom the terminals 1d in both the main and auxiliary staifsrespectively. The range extensions 46 are then secured to both the mainand auxiiiary staffs by screwing the bolts 48 carried by the extensions4d into the threaded bores 16 provided in ythe terminals 14. The collars5t) are then seen to overlap a portion of the main and auxiliary staifsand the extensions ed to further strengthen the joints between the statsand the extensions against any transversely applied forces. The probes18 are then repositioned in the oppositely disposed terminals 14provided in the extensions 4o oppositely from the bolts 43 secured inlike terminals 14. Thus, a pre-determined increment of resistance hasbeen added to the series electrical measurement circuit to permit thedevice to be used for measurement of higher voltage vaines. A typicalexample of the invention uses a iifteen kilovolt limit for a normalrange and extends the range of the device by use of the extensions d toa limit of seventy-ve ldlovolts. It is to be understood that the valuesset forth above do not limit in any manner the scope of the invention,but only represent typical values that may be utilized in the practiceof the invention. The tool thus assembled is then sent up to the linemanon the pole by means of a hand line for utilization as previously setforth above.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention hasprovided a phasing device which carries a means for controlling thelength of insulated cable connecting the main and auxiliary staffs ofthe device and thereby increasing the safety of the linernen using thedevice on a pole and minimizing the distortion of the readings of avoltmeter carried thereon by reducing the stray capacitance eecting thevoltmeter. The novel invention also provides suitable extensions forconnection to the auxiliary and main staffs of the phasing voltmeterapparatus whereby the effective range thereof may be safely increasedwithout burdening the device with added Weight and bulk during thenormal usage thereof. Thus, a novel phasing device has been provided forsafely and accurately determining the phase relationship of anelectrical distribution system in order to connect another distributionsystem thereto.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts asheretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, itbeing understood that any modiiication in the precise embodiment of theinvention may be made within the scope of the following claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim: Y

1. In a device of the character described, a first nonconductingcylindrical steif member having a conducting probe means removablysecured to one end thereof and adapted to be applied to a power lead, avoltage measurement means carried by said staff member and spaced fromthe probe means to facilltate visual inspection of the voltagemeasurement, said probe means being connected through an electricalresistance to one terminal of the voltage measurement means, a secondnon-conducting cylindrical stat member having a conducting probe meansremovably secured to one end thereof and adapted to be applied to asecond power lead, said second probe means being connected to a secondterminal of the voltage measurement means through an electricalresistance and an insulated conducting cable that extends between tnevoltage measurement means and the second probe means, spool meansprovided on one of said staff members to control the length of theconducting cable extending between the voltage measurement means and thesecond probe means, a third non-conducting cylindrical staff memberadapted to be secured to the first stati member, said :third staffmember provided with an electrical resistance adapted to be electricallyconnected through said first electrical resistance to the voltagemeasurement means, the third staff member adapted to receive the xirstconducting probe means in one end, a fourth non-conducting cylindricalstatt member adapted to be removably secured to the second stati.member, said fourth stati member provided with an electrical resistanceadapted to be electrically connected through the second electricalresistance to the other side of the voltage measurement means, and thefourth start member adapted to receive the second conducting probe meansin one end thereof.

2. In a device of the character described, a first nonconducting tubingmember having a conducting electrode removably secured to one endthereof and adapted to be applied to a power lead, a voltage measurementmeans carried by said tubing member and spaced downwardly from theelectrode for facilitating visual inspection of the voltage measurement,said electrode being connected through an electrical resistance to oneside of the voltage measurement means, a second non-conducting tubingmember having a conducting electrode removably secured to one endthereof and adapted to be applied to a second power lead, said second'electrode being connected to the other side of the voltage measurement.means through an electrical resistance and an insulated conducting cablethat extends between the voltage measurement means and the secondelectrode, spool means provided on one of said tubing members to controlthe length of the conducting cable extending between the tubing members,a first non-conducting tubing extension member provided with anelectrical resistance and adapted to be secured to the end of the firsttubing member after the electrode has been removed, said electrodeadapted to be removably secured to the tubing extension and electricallyconnected through the electrical resistance contained therein to theelectrical resistance in the rst tubing member, and a second tubingextension member identical to said first tubing extension member andadapted to be secured to the second tubing member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,269,225 1/42Rich 324-149 2,546,093 3/51 Gilbert 324-149 2,552,981 5/51 Lamb 324--149FOREIGN PATENTS 502,45 3 11/ 54 Italy. 971,524 2/59 Germany.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,019 8/38Sleeper. 2,375,591 5/ 45 Schweitzer. 2,779,919 1/ 57 West. 2,916,698 12/59 Eisenberg et al.

WALTER L. CARLSON, Primary Examiner.

ELI I. SAX, FREDERTCK M. STRADER, Examiners.

2. IN A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A FIRST NONCONDUCTING TUBINGMEMBER HAVING A CONDUCTING ELECTRODE REMOVABLY SECURED TO ONE ENDTHERREOF AND ADAPTED TO BE APPLIED TO A POWER LEAD, A VOLTAGEMEASUREMENT MEANS CARRIED BY SAID TUBING MEMBER AND SPACED DOWNWARDLYFROM THE ELECTRODE FOR FACILITATING VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE VOLTAGEMEASUREMENT, SAID ELECTRODE BEING CONNECTED THROUGH AN ELECTRICALRESISTANCE TO ONE SIDE OF THE VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT MEANS, A SECONDNON-CONDUCTING TUBING MEMBER HAVING A CONDUCTING ELECTRODE REMOVABLESECURED TO ONE END THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO BE APPLIED TO A SECOND POWERLEAD, SAID SECOND ELECTRODE BEING CONNECTED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THEVOLTAGE MEASUREMENT MEANS THROUGH AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AND ANINSULATED CONDUCTING CABLE THAT EXTENDS BETWEEN THE VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTMEANS AND THE SECOND ELECTRODE, SPOOL MEANS PROVIDED ON ONE OF SAIDTUBING MEMBERS TO CONTROL THE LENGTH OF THE CONDUCTING CABLE EXTENDINGBETWEEN THE TUBING MEMBERS, A FIRST NON-CONDUCTING TUBING EXTENSIONMEMBER PROVIDED WITH AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AND ADAPTED TO BE SECUREDTO THE END OF THE FIRST TUBING MEMBER AFTER THE ELECTRODE HAS BEENREMOVED, SAID ELECTRODE ADAPTED TO BE REMOVABLY SECURED TO THE TUBINGEXTENSION AND ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCECONTAINED THEREIN TO THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE IN THE FIRST TUBINGMEMBER, AND A SECOND TUBING EXTENSION MEMBER IDENTICAL TO SAID FIRSTTUBING EXTENSION MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE SECOND TUBINGMEMBER.